MESKEL FESTIVAL IN ADDIS WITH HISTORIC ROUTE 8 DAYS

Day 1 ARRIVE, ADDIS (Attend Meskel Celebration)

Upon arrival in Addis, you will clear immigration and proceed to baggage claim. After collecting your checked luggage, you will clear customs and pass through the arrivals hall where you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Today is at leisure. HOTEL CHECK in time is 2 pm Depending on the time of your arrival flight, optional day tours and activities in Addis Ababa can be arranged

Hotel : Best Western Plus Addis

Day 2 ADDIS (ATTEND MESKEL CELEBRATION)

Morning tour of Addis. In the afternoon, after lunch (on your own account), you will attend the Meskel celebration at Meskel Square. Meskel (Finding the True Cross) is celebrated by singing, dancing, feasting, and lighting a massive bonfire known in Ethiopian tradition as “Damera”. Meskel commemorates the finding of the True Cross in the 4th century when Empress Helena, mother of Constantinople the Great, discovered the True Cross on which Christ was crucified. The feast is celebrated in Ethiopia on the 17th of September Ethiopian calendar (27th September Gregorian calendar).

The celebration of Meskel signifies the presence of the True Cross at the mountain of Gishen Mariam monastery and also symbolizes the events carried out by Empress Helena. According to tradition Empress Helena lit incense and prayed for assistance to guide her. The smoke drifted in the direction of the buried cross. She dug and found three crosses; one of them was the True Cross used to crucify Jesus Christ. Empress Helena then gave a piece of the True Cross to all churches, including the Ethiopian Church. This piece was then brought to Ethiopia. According to the Ethiopian legend, when people get close to the piece of the True Cross, it makes them naked with its powerful light. Because of this, a decision was made to bury it at the mountain of Gishen Mariam monastery in the Wollo region.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel : Best Western Plus Addis

Day 3 FLY ADDIS | BAHIRDAR (SIGHTSEEING OF BAHIR DAR)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. After check-in, you will proceed on a sightseeing tour. Embark on a scenic boat trip on Lake Tana with a surface area of 2,282 square miles, the largest lake in Ethiopia. The lake is dotted with islands, many of which shelter isolated monasteries containing the remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian Church. Visit Ura Kidane Meheret monastery, famous for its ancient manuscripts, crosses, icons, and paintings. Your Overnight will be at the Blue Nile Hotel. In the afternoon you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile Falls (please be informed that due to the newly constructed electric dam in the vicinity, the water level of the falls could be very minimal). Drive back to Bahir Dar.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast,Dinner

Hotel : Avanti Blue Nile Resort

Day 4 DRIVE TO GONDAR (180 km & – 3 hrs.) (SIGHTSEEING OF GONDAR)

Set out on a drive further north for approximately ~ 196 km to another spectacular destination on the Ethiopian Historic Route, Gondar. Upon arrival, and checking in, you will start your tour of Gondar.

Gondar is set in a landscape of incomparable beauty; it was once the Royal Capital of Ethiopia. Visit the impressive castles built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants. Continue Debre Birhan Selassie Church, its walls and ceilings are decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast,Dinner

Hotels :Gondar Hills Resort

Day 5 GONDAR | LALIBELA (VISIT THE ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES OF LALIBELA)

You will be transferred from your hotel to Gondar airport for your flight to Lalibela. Lalibela is the jewel in the crown of Ethiopia with the most famous rock-hewn churches and the scene of so many major religious ceremonies. These churches are both remarkable and beautiful. They were hand-hewn out of solid rock centuries ago and are still actively used by worshipers today. Visiting the churches not only allows learning their history and admiring their architecture, but it also gives a glimpse into the deep devotion of the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox religion. Some of the churches you will visit include Bete Amanuel a 36-foot-high monolith considered by art historians to be the finest and most precisely worked church in Lalibela, possibly because it was the private church of the royal family; Bete Markorios a cave church originally used for secular purposes and thought to be around 1,400 years old; and Bete Giorgis the most majestic and best preserved of all Lalibela’s churches. Known as the eighth wonder of the world, Bete Giorgis is hewn out of solid rock and believed to have been built in either the 12th or 13th century.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel : Mezena Lodge

Day 6 ASHETON MARIAM (EXCURSION TO ASHETON MARIAM)

Following breakfast, you continue with the sightseeing tour of Lalibela This afternoon, you will have an excursion to Asheton Mariam. We have the option of driving to Asheton Mariam or if you prefer the adventure, you can also use a mule. The 13th C. rock-hewn monastery of Asheton Mariam is about 8 km from Lalibela. Upon your return and after lunch, complete your visit of the remaining Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotels : Mezena Lodge

Day 7 LALIBELA | ADDIS

You will be transferred to the Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, you will be met by our local representative and be transferred to your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Best Western Plus Addis

Day 8 ADDIS | DEPART

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight. Check out time is 12 noon.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast